[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 202 (Wednesday, October 20, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 56475]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-27378]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
50 CFR Part 679
[Docket No. 990304063-9063-01; I.D. 101599F]
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod
by Vessels Using Hook-and-line and Pot Gear in the Bering Sea and
Aleutian Islands
AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.
ACTION: Closure.
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SUMMARY: NMFS is closing directed fishing for Pacific cod by vessels
using hook-and-line and pot gear in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands
management area (BSAI). This action is necessary to prevent exceeding
the 1999 total allowable catch (TAC) of Pacific cod allocated for
vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in this area.
DATES: Effective 1200 hrs, Alaska local time (A.l.t.), October 19,
1999, until 2400 hrs, A.l.t., December 31, 1999.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Furuness, 907-586-7228.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NMFS manages the groundfish fishery in the
BSAI according to the Fishery Management Plan for the Groundfish
Fishery of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Area (FMP) prepared by
the North Pacific Fishery Management Council under authority of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Regulations
governing fishing by U.S. vessels in accordance with the FMP appear at
subpart H of 50 CFR part 600 and 50 CFR part 679.
The Final 1999 Harvest Specifications of Groundfish for the BSAI
(64 FR 12103, March 11, 1999), and subsequent reallocation (64 FR
52472, September 29, 1999) established the 1999 TAC of Pacific cod
allocated to vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in the BSAI as
91,300 metric tons (mt). See Sec. 679.20(c)(3)(iii) and
Sec. 679.20(a)(7)(i)(A).
In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(i), the Administrator, Alaska
Region, NMFS (Regional Administrator), has determined that the 1999 TAC
of Pacific cod allocated to vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in
the BSAI will be reached. Therefore, the Regional Administrator is
establishing a directed fishing allowance of 91,200 mt, and is setting
aside the remaining 100 mt as bycatch to support other anticipated
groundfish fisheries. In accordance with Sec. 679.20(d)(1)(iii), the
Regional Administrator finds that this directed fishing allowance will
soon be reached. Consequently, NMFS is closing directed fishing for
Pacific cod for vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in the BSAI.
Maximum retainable bycatch amounts may be found in the regulations
at Sec. 679.20(e) and (f).
Classification
This action responds to the best available information recently
obtained from the fishery. It must be implemented immediately in order
to prevent overharvesting the 1999 TAC of Pacific cod allocated to
vessels using hook-and-line and pot gear in the BSAI. A delay in the
effective date is impracticable and contrary to the public interest.
The Pacific cod directed fishing allowance established for vessels
using hook-and-line and pot gear will soon be reached. Further delay
would only result in overharvest. NMFS finds for good cause that the
implementation of this action can not be delayed for 30 days.
Accordingly, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d), a delay in the effective date is
hereby waived.
This action is required by Sec. 679.20 and is exempt from review
under E.O. 12866.
Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.
Dated: October 15, 1999.
Bruce C. Morehead,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 99-27378 Filed 10-15-99; 3:23 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-F
